Dates of Stay 27 July 2014
Will We Return Yes, definitely, and for a much longer period – forever maybe?
Rates 3,500 Vt per person per night, inclusive of breakfast. For a couple, this is about AU$80 per night.
Value for money Very good
ROOM
Check-in & Check-out Your hosts will be as flexible as possible with times depending on flights, etc. Confirm with them all arrangements prior to arrival as they will need to collect you by boat to transfer you to the island.
Room Type Waterfront Bungalow
Rate 3,500 Vt pp per night
Breakfast Breakfast included
Facilities
Tea and Coffee: Not supplied in your Bungalow, but available from your hosts
Biscuits: No
Milk: Yes
Mini Bar: No
Clock Radio: No
Fan: No
CD Player: No
TV: No
TV Channels: N/A
Air-conditioning: No
Internal or External Noise: No noise, except the ocean a few metres away
Work Desk: No
Powerpoints: None
Ironing Board: No
Bath robes and slippers: No
Lounge: No. Plenty of seating is available outside the Bungalow, including multiple hammocks under the shade of the trees
Wifi: No Wifi is available from the Resort itself, however phone reception is full service with towers just across the channel, so if you have paid for local phone or internet through Digical or TVL you should be able to pick this up.
Services directory: No
Ventilation: Good
Smoking: Inside the Bungalows is no smoking
Bed
General comfort: Good. Very firm.
Pillow comfort: Good. Very firm. Two provided.
Squeaky: Not at all
Bathroom
Size: Average
Cleanliness: Clean and tidy
Space to put own toiletries: No bench space, but plenty of space to hang with a hook
Tissues: No
Quality of complimentary toiletries: Basic, just a bar of soap
Shower temperature: Cold only
Shower power: Basic. It is gravity-fed.
Water stays in shower: Yes
Internet Access
Availability: No Bungalows have Wifi access from the a Resort, although if you are with TVL or Digical (local providers), you should pickup great phone and internet reception as towers are just across the channel.
Functionality: N/A
Cost: N/A
Room service
Room service is not available. You dine with your hosts, Jake and Lines.
THE RESORT
Size There are two beachfront bungalows available, both really only suited to couples or those with older children. Sandy walkways lead you around the Bungalows and dining area, so forget the shoes and even the thongs! Just rinse your feet off in the container provided when you arrive back at your door. There is plenty of shade offered, with seating and hammocks situated everywhere, along with a bamboo deck sitting right near the water – nearly over it at high tide. There is no pool but you have kilometres of crystal clear ocean that is just like swimming in a fish tank. Water views are available everywhere – sit up in bed, look out your door and there it is.
Proximity to Town It’s a half-hour boat ride from the mainland, and then a 10-metre walk to your bungalow. Speak to your hosts about transfers back to the mainland for any other tours you may have booked. No shops are on Uri a Island.
Easy to find The locals all know where the island is.
Facilities
Reception: Whenever needed
Concierge: No
Currency Exchange: No
Safety Deposit Box: No
Guest Dry Cleaning: No
Guest Laundry: Yes
Business Centre: No
Meeting Rooms: No
Photocopying and Faxing: No
Check-in
Queues: None
Time Taken: None
Accuracy: With only two bungalows, there’s not much to go wrong, though you’ll probably want to extend your departure date once you arrive!
Politeness: Smiles all round
Newspaper offered: No
Staff
Friendliness: Very friendly
Responsiveness to complaints: No complaints
Helpfulness: Very helpful and full of information about the island, it’s history and the local area
Restaurant
Table Availability: Straight away
Politeness: Smiles all around
Range available: Basic but great taste. Hot food, breads and fresh cold fruits
Cost: Very good
Time Taken: Your hosts will discuss meal times with you, so there is no waiting around. Discuss any dietary requirements with them before you arrive so they can prepare accordingly.
Presentation: Good
Overall food rating: Large meals for lunch and dinner, great flavour. There was even a late-evening snack of chocolate pancakes made with Milo. Due to its remote location, meals will be simpler but you won’t go hungry and there’s nothing like the fresh flavours of the Vanuatu food. The beef is superb, and depending on Jake’s skills, fresh fish may also be on the menu.
Presentation There is no formal reception area, but it’s just not needed with the size of the resort. Keeping in mind it is set right on the beach with sandy pathways, everything is kept clean and tidy, swept down and raked. It’s like being a castaway but without any worries. Seating is available everywhere, shells (including turtle shells) are aplenty, and everything is made from local trees and produce. Paths are lined with tropical plants and bushes.
Fitness Activities
Swimming Pool – No
Tennis Court – No
Gym – No
Sauna – No
Scuba diving – No
Snorkelling – Yes
Fishing – Yes
On-site massage – Yes
SUITABILITY
The resort is great for couples, not suited to those with children due to its remote location and to keep it peaceful for all guests. There weren’t any chickens or dogs on the island for this reason. A perfect and affordable escape for those on a honeymoon or just wanting to really get away from the rest of the world.
LOCATION
Nearby Attractions Half-hour boat ride to the nearby Marine Park for snorkelling, or snorkel, swim and fish right out the front of your bungalow.
Address Uri Island, Malampa Province, Vanuatu Phone: +678 48888 Web: Website coming soon